Off-Road Rant - Editorial - February 2011

There is nothing like taking a good trip with friends.
We just got back from our annual Heavy Metal Weekend in the sand dunes of the Central California coastline, and I must say that there is something just delightful about getting outside and going camping with your best buds-something that nothing else could ever replace. With all of electronic devices, emails, 300 channels of television to watch, and the three hats that everyone wears at work these days, it's so nice to get away from all the excitement and just hang out with some great friends in a place where you have no choice to do anything but...hang out.

I remember doing a lot more of this "hanging out" stuff back in high school and college, but I never really appreciated how great it was until I joined the full-time work force.

These days, we (friends) seem to start talking about vacations and camping trips four months before they happen. Free time, much like many other things, is something you don't really appreciate until it's gone.

But we've learned our lesson at OFF-ROAD, and we don't let any more trips or vacations pass us by without cherishing them and realizing how lucky we are to actually get a few days off here and there.

That's why we do our dangdest to make sure that we make it out to Oceano Sand Dunes every second weekend of September for the Heavy Metal Weekend to party with our friends.

Next year, I encourage you to strap on a mullet wig, grow a handlebar mustache, and come join us next year for the Heavy Metal Weekend. Everyone and anyone is welcome to show up, and we guarantee a strong dose of wild times and sand in your shorts.

This month...
We got two absolutely beautiful trucks featured that are sure to be favorites with you. Peter Verboom's '55 Chevy is the ultimate example of a resto-mod job (Page 28), while Luke Gibson's crew cab F-250 shows that a dream rig to haul you and your friends around is totally possible (Page 24).

We've also got some great ways for you to make more power in your off-road vehicle, and Kevin Blumer got over to King's facilities and broke down the door to capture some first images of the new IBP internal bypass shock that we first spotted at the Off-Road Expo 2010 (coverage on Page 66).

On top of all that, Jay Kopycinski got us a masterpiece comparing the differences between a short-course truck and a desert truck. Now you can see for yourself on Page 60, with side-by-side photos, what makes a desert racing truck different than one that does short-course racing.

Editor's Note
Last month I made a statement in my Rant placing some blame on California's law enforcement regarding the problem of illegal cell phone usage while driving. To quote myself, "I blame California's law enforcement. Guys, the public can't enforce this; only you can." What I should have made clearer is that the problem is really the fault of the individuals who choose to ignore this anti-cell phone law-much more so than the fault of any law enforcement officer. While we do count on our officers to police the activities of drivers on the road, it is the responsibility of each individual driver not to be a jackass.